Cubed3's Reviews
It allows you to play as the Slavic nations. In other words: it offers exactly what it says on the tin. It might be one thing if this majorly changed the gameplay or tried something major but, as-is, there simply isn't anything to talk about. The Slavs do help with the Huns being OP problem, but, on the whole, it's just three new civilisations to play as.
Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN- is a great fighter. It's fast and in-your-face, it has a wonderful depth, and, as a cherry on top of this cel-shaded anime cake, it looks beautiful and has a kick-ass metal OST… but, judging from the lack of new material, it can't really be counted as a "true" new entry into the main series. Let it be said once again: this is great. However, it would probably be better to wait for the upcoming Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR- instead of spending any money on this one.
If this game were released in 2001, it would probably be hailed as one of the above-average games of the time period. By today's standards, it's a bit of a mess; no soundtrack, no physics, players are pigeonholed into playing a certain way, and things are just unpolished overall. That aside, it's clear the team at Nano Games has originality and some good ideas, and where the game does work, it works well; in particular, the management features and driving mechanics. It has a severe lack of polish and freedom, however, which, on the whole, makes it feel less like playing a game and more like doing work, but it'll be interesting to see what things this team can come up with and implement (hopefully better) in the future.
The Collider 2 is, undoubtedly, superior to its predecessor in all ways, yet those willing to get it should know what it is, and what it isn't. It's a super-fast, reflex-based endless runner that is as simple as it is enjoyable, as well as easy to learn, hard to master, and even harder to stop going back to the fray for "one more try," and yet, it's also disappointingly low in content (even for an indie title), something that severely hurts the replay value, no matter how fun playing this can be at times.
As much as there is to love in Star Fox Zero, sadly the awkward controls of various vehicles, and the horrendous forced second viewpoint and gyroscope targeting of regular Arwing and Landmaster stages almost ruin the entire experience. There are tremendous highs when the core Star Fox controls kick back in, but moments of frustration are present that simply wouldn't have been if feedback from early hands-on reports had been taken on-board.
Aesthetically, Chronicles of Teddy: Harmony of Exidus is a beautifully crafted undertaking. While the sprawling maps are gorgeous, the level design falls a bit short from a purely gameplay standpoint, and the combat, while well executed, doesn't really add much to the core exploration. It's missing a few seams, but overall it's a very well put together adventure. Even with its flaws, it's definitely one fantastical adventure, and one that's absolutely worth playing.
Star Fox Guard is a smart use of the GamePad controller, by using the touch-screen as a radar to add another layer of what's happening on the TV screen. A simple concept that has an arcade, frantic feel whilst slotting into the Star Fox universe with a handful of cheesy (though unfortunately voiceless) dialogue. The game perhaps could have done with more tower defence elements to extend the idea further, but as a standalone package it's a compelling little gem that does well in framing the GamePad's benefits and is worth a try.
Ultimately, Cutie Pets Pick Berries feels grossly unsuited for its platform, largely through an input method that doesn't suit its fast pace. While there is some fun to be had by creating perfectly constructed combos of fancy fruits, the lack of direction and explanation behind the mechanics make it hard to pick up. While it might (and that's a big might) be hard to put down after that initial stage, the eventual aggravation behind a lack of endgame and its painful controls make it an outing best left out in the woods.
Guilty Gear 2: Overture blends strategy and action in a way that ultimately diminishes both aspects. While the base mechanics of both systems are solid, neither really comes across as defining, making the entire experience feel a bit half-baked. A serious push to take the game in either direction might have yielded better results, but as it stands, it's hard to imagine an audience that would really enjoy the experience this title provides.
The Banner Saga 2 is an absolute joy, with its simple, yet deep, strategy, and its hard-hitting narrative. Not only is it a worthy successor to its predecessor, but it honestly can stand on its own as an introduction to the series. It is a lot to get into at first, and the barrier for entry might be a bit high for those unfamiliar with the genre, but it's absolutely one of the most compelling strategy titles out right now, for those willing to get their feet wet.
A good recommendation when starting Justice Chronicles is keeping your expectations to a cautious high, at most. While the systems at work here are fantastic, the dressing for them is very hit-and-miss; the pixel art is very nice, but the story is bogged down by off-putting cut-scenes and weak dialogue, and, finally, the menus are easy to navigate, even if the local area map is distressingly unattractive. Most will definitely feel a sense of pride upon completing every battle, but they'll have to fight through the odd story and art choices to get to the next one.
Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel is a competent, but fun, fighting game. The biggest strengths this title has are found in the varied selection of fighters and secondary characters to choose from, plus the polished fighting mechanics ensure that both casual and hardcore players can have a fun experience. Overlook the fairly cutesy and somewhat suggestive nature of the game and there is a good title that is worth a look.
Fallout 4: Automatron is a fun, yet brief, addition to the game. The story is enjoyable enough and has some great moments, while the extra features, such as the companion crafting and the new encampment buildables make for enjoyable additions to the existing world. Sadly, though, for what the DLC consists of, there just isn't enough of the content to really justify the cost.
With the involved and great story, lovely art, and multiple paths and outcomes, there is little doubt as to the quality of the game. It is a wonderful story, packaged up as the third part in a much larger, epic tale. It feels a bit short at times, but makes up for it with multiple paths and several ways to handle situations.
Nights of Azure is a fun, if flawed, game. The RPG elements are workable, though leave much more to be desired, the action is passable, and the minion system is arguably the best part. Picking and customizing the minions is about the only joy in a repetitious combat system. Despite being touted as a darker direction for the company, the blatant and misdirected sexual focus, mixed with the very adolescent-leaning view of relationships, makes the already-slow story harder to connect to in any way that will leave players with fond memories after moving on. The potential of a darker, nuanced story is lost in endless ecchi and slapstick humour that is woefully misplaced.
Dance Magic has some really unique and interesting things going for it, and it's easy to come back to the battle system over and over just for how addictive it is to string together musical combos. That being said, the core game does struggle with occasionally imprecise inputs, and the actual tracks don't really feel that great to listen to again and again. While there's a lot to like here, it's definitely a title more geared towards fans of its core rhythm genre; the ones who don't mind delving into a more combative style of dancing.
Perpetual Blast is a boring 3D space shooter that absolutely fails in bringing back the genre. Its good physics are nothing in comparison to its absurdly repetitive and tedious gameplay, inferior presentation and counter-intuitive controls.
This is a fantastic game, even someone yet to try their hand in the dungeon crawling genre. The characters, atmosphere, soundtrack and gameplay create an amazingly immersive environment (especially with headphones on). The fact that it can be played portable on the PS Vita is something that really helps boost its fun factor, as it is also the best way to play many visual novel games. Stranger of Sword City is a great production that is well worth the investment of both money and time from those who are willing to give it a shot.
This is tough to nail down. The random generation of enemies on screen is frequently too unpredictable to provide a consistently enjoyable experience. The controls are spot on, and the artwork is beautiful. The game does manage to retain value, but the value of the additional modes is something that could vary from person to person. It's a solid shooter that works well in the player's hands, and erratically on screen. It shouldn't be overlooked, but for those seeking a deep, challenging experience, Steredenn isn't the cure for that itch.
Toy Soldiers: War Chest - Hall of Fame Edition is a fun way of combining toy combat with varied and uniquely colourful armies. While the design of various maps is generic, the core mechanics of the game are enough to be engaging for a short time. However, once the campaign is completed, there is little need to go back and play as the other armies, due to their lack of diversity. While the action can be frenetic and heart pounding in some exciting moments, the game-crashing bugs, the extreme load times, and the constant shoving down the throat of signing up to Uplay, puts an ugly stain on what would have otherwise been a really fun game to play. Contrary to what this is called, this latest entry in the Toy Soldiers franchise does not feel like a "Hall of Fame" at all.